"Obviously, we as a government are on track, making sure that we are moving forward with the vessel replacement strategy as quickly as we possibly can," he said.

Hedderson later added: "Our vessel replacement strategy is moving along as expected."

But numerous press releases issued since 2006 and a review of statements by Hedderson’s predecessors paint a different story — one of delays in work being completed, and fewer vessels on the water than initially promised.

And the government's own financial statements show big bucks budgeted to build new ships, but just a fraction of the cash actually spent.

Election commitment

Building new ferries was a Tory election commitment in 2003, when the party returned to power.

The government commissioned a report on the ferry system, which was released in 2006.

Hedderson told the legislature Wednesday that the Winsor replacement is "currently at the last stages of design" and could go to tender in the early summer. That’s three years after the design consultant was chosen.

Six smaller ships

Then there are six smaller ferries in the works, which could be built by shipyards other than Marystown.

Hedderson now says the work will be finished and ready for tender by November.

Vessel tracker: The amount budgeted and amount actually spent by the N.L. government on new ferry construction. (Source: Public Accounts; 2012 Estimates )

In a budget press release issued last week, the province says it plans to wrap up all design work and spend "$5 million to begin the process of constructing the replacement" for the Winsor.

There is no mention of any actual fabrication work beginning on the six small ships, or the medium-sized vessel that is subject of the ongoing dispute with Marystown.

The fiscal year runs until March 2013.

The Department of Transportation declined to answer questions e-mailed by CBC News asking for a detailed list of when construction work will begin for the various vessels, and when ships will actually hit the water.

Fiscal figures

The government has budgeted big bucks in recent years for ferry spending — and repeatedly trumpeted those amounts in press releases — but spent just a fraction of the cash.

In 2011-12, $39.3 million was allocated to build new ships. Just $5.7 million went out the door.

It was a similar story in the three previous years, when the province spent between one-third and less than half of the announced figure.

Before that, in 2007-08, the government expected to fork out $15 million, but spent less than $500,000.

This year the province is budgeting to outlay $10.4 million — a sharp drop from plans of past years.

All told, the government announced $190 million over the last six years for spending on new ferries. Just over $60 million was actually spent.

Most of that total — about $55 million — went to build the two vessels now in service.